KARACHI — Pakistani security forces have killed 33 militants attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Balochistan’s Zhob district, in one of the deadliest recent border encounters.
The military’s media wing said the infiltrators were members of “Fitna al Khwaraj,” a term the state uses for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, whom Islamabad accuses of operating from Afghan sanctuaries with Indian support — a charge Kabul and New Delhi deny.
“On the night of 7/8 August 2025, a large group of Indian-sponsored Khwarij was detected attempting to infiltrate near Sambaza, Zhob,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “Security forces engaged them with precision, killing 33 and recovering a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.”
A “sanitisation operation” is underway to clear the area of any remaining militants. The military vowed to continue eradicating “Indian-sponsored terrorism” from Pakistan.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti hailed the operation, saying it had “made the nation proud” and reaffirmed that all threats to the province’s peace would be eliminated.
While this clash happened in Balochistan — a province also facing Baloch separatist activity — the TTP mainly targets Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, carrying out attacks against security forces, police, and civilians.
Pakistan has increased pressure on the Afghan Taliban to take action against TTP hideouts, but Kabul denies allowing its soil to be used for attacks.
